The Lost Sock!

Changes coming up this year

2006-12-26T10:36:00.000Z

There'll be some changes coming up this year, as The Lost Sock website becomes more an integral part of the Felixstowe Films site . . . more soon

Where do you take yours?

2006-08-03T09:38:00.000+01:00

Watchers of the TLS website will now find a pictures of Alan Dix (Mr Big in the movie) boarding a train in Scotland while wearing his TLS T-shirt . . . so the question is. where have you taken yours?

Dot and I hope to take ours to Wiltshire at some point fairly soon, and to France in the early autumn.

We'll publish any snaps - the odder the location, the better!

Next - no, really!

2006-07-16T11:41:00.000+01:00

Next week, Giles and I are planning to have our first serious chat about the next major movie from Felixstowe Films . . . sounds pretty pretentious, doesn't it?

We've got several themes and stories from our excellent chums the Felixstowe Scribblers, and there are a couple with definite possibilities that we'd like to explore further.

We'd rather like to try our hands at something more serious and action-oriented, and it might be interesting to see what other themes might arise from a more general audience - like yourselves, for instance. Go on, throw an idea or two in!

New Film:

2006-07-14T09:44:00.000+01:00

Here are some suggested titles for the next Felixstowe film:

The Last Wok - chinese martial arts film
The Lost Frock - chick flick
The Forced Lock - chastity belt movie

What about yours? PS - no naughty ones!

400 at Premiere

2006-07-09T21:46:00.000+01:00

An estimated 400 people attended the world premiere of the only feature-length movie ever produced in Felixstowe, which was shown at the town's Spa Pavilion today (Sunday).

Purely from my own point of view, it was an amazing, though deeply worrying, experience! But I am hugely grateful to everyone who attended - and even more so to every one who played a part (literally!) or helped the production to happen!

Garden Paths . . .

2006-07-06T20:52:00.000+01:00

I really am finding it difficult to contain my mirth . . . there's all of these worried netizens out there, concerned about councillor Doreen Savage starring in The Lost Sock, and fulminating about the political contents - even dear Trevor Lockwood, who I didn't think was in any way dim . . .

I'm the first to admit that I'm not the smartest cookie in the jar; but I know (as all these clever people should) that the episodes of TLS have all been online for months. The big screen experience is for the cast and crew, people who haven't got the internet, or people who'd like to see the movie in a proper cinema, with a high quality sound track. The 60 second appearance of Doreen was in episode 4, which went online on the 18th of February, and was moved to it's present server location on the 16th of May, since when it has been downloaded rather a lot!

The big screen version of The Lost Sock is just - a version designed for the big screen. If you take a minute or two to download the episode and watch it, you'll be able to speak from knowledge about the content. It is all online - every last minute, except for the last 10 seconds!

Cor, dear, what a fuss over 70 seconds . . .

2006-07-06T17:20:00.000+01:00

I am actually quite surprised at goings-on on this blog. It's about a film, rather than local politics, and it seems that people who haven't taken the trouble to see it in its online version - where it has been available for months, as broadband users will know - are getting all excited about the appearance of one of our local councillors.

Much of the problem now seems due to the fact she is listed as a "guest star" . . . anyone who knows anything about films will know that this interprets as a cameo part where someone well-known pops up on screen for a moment or two . . . and that is the case here. Having just measured the time exactly, I can confirm that the scene in which she appears runs for 1minute and 40 seconds, and she herself is onscreen for around 55 of those seconds - heavens!

She is also talking about a ficticious incident which is part of a comedy film . . . it has nothing to do with real life. Even more to the point you can watch the episode in which she appears, and see the exact same scene (which many thousands of people have already done) at this web address:

http://www.felixstowetv.co.uk/sock/ep4.html

and the scene in this episode is the only one in which she appears in the whole film!

However, now we have been made so completely aware of her power to attract an audience, I won't hesitate to ask her to be in the next one!

Our socks are blown off . . .

2006-07-04T07:10:00.000+01:00

It can't be an experience many people have had - seeing a full-length feature film that you've been with from its inception, projected onto a full-size cinema screen.

On the 13th November, 2004, I was chatting with the excellent Dave Feakes of Felixstowe Scribblers writers group at an event they'd organised - "Culturama". I said, "What we ought to do is get the Scribblers to come up with a little episode-style drama, for FTV to produce it put online." Good idea - 20 minutes of stuff, be a giggle, no problem.

About 5 or 6 months later, after midnight-oil burning sessions by the writing team, there's a little pile of A4 paper on my desk. No, its a biggish pile - about 70 sheets. 10 scripts, in fact, calling for anything from people being set adrift in rubber boats, to an ambulance carting away a radio presenter who is the accidental victim of a bungled assassination attempt in mid-interview. 10 scripts, with an estimated running time of 6 minutes each . . . it's a worrying sight.

All we could do was make a start . . . auditions, with a crowd of actors largely found through local theatre contacts and some dragged in by the writers. Casting, with one or two of the key roles going to actors who thought the whole thing looked extremely dubious. And then we started to shoot, summer of 2005 . . . actors running down Bent Hill in bright, hot sunshine.

At around this point, the production tripped over one of it's most important ingredients - Giles Meehan, who suprisingly quickly dropped into the role of production manager, then producer, with a yellow folder that still, even today, controls much of the project's life. Despite suffering from ME, which sometimes virtually knocks him of his feet, his contribution in holding the project together, and often bullying me into doing work instead of sitting around enjoying myelf, has been massive.

But the contributions made by all the individuals involved has been amazing. The actors and crew have turned up regardless of weather, life or whatever, and just got out there and acted. Natalie, Jacky and Claire turned up in summer clothes in January, managing to look convincing despite their shivers. Two men whom I suspect Giles must have blackmailed in some complex way, turned up to strip off on the prom, and put on shiny silver suits, to became our aliens.

One of our actors completed his last day's shooting just 20 days after having his appendix and other items removed, when he was taken ill on holiday in America . . . A group of door security men from local night-life venues gave us a Saturday morning, and looked serious dangerous walking along the prom - even more so when they threw crew member and writer Ken May off the prom (no, I think we'll have to shoot that again . . . and again . . and . . . )

People and firms lent us things, and provided support, with very few exceptions . . . although the interior of the pier was the excellent Charlie Manning's amusement arcade! The Port of Felixstowe lent us an ambulance, and the crew repaired a little old lady who arrived with a bashed finger before rescuing Rachel. The police send a couple of cheery special constables along, complete with patrol car, to drag off our baddies. Landguard Fort saw people rushing about and waving fake guns in the air, all very exciting . . .

And yesterday afternoon, Giles, composer David Jennings and I had the pleasure of seeing a short clip of the opening sequences played out on the big screen at The Spa Pavilion, under the watchful eye of Roger Miller, the stage manager. The pictures were amazing; the sound superb. The film opening isn't the one online, and the end titles aren't as seen there either; but they really do look wonderful - love it!

Around 100 people have been involved in one way or another. Around 20 firms and organisations have helped us in specialist areas. And the new operators of the Spa Pavilion, Openwide International, came to or rescue at ten days notice when the owner of the cinema decided that he didn't like someone in the film, and cancelled the premiere . . . what's that word I'm looking for?

And now we've got a 900-seat cinema waiting for the show. It''s on at 2 o'cxlock on Sunday 9th July at the Spa Pavilion, Felixstowe. Between 200 and 300 seats are reserved for cast and crew, so anyone else who wants to come along, you'll be hugely and genuinely welcome - it's free, but we are suggesting you might make a small donation if you enjoy it !

The master DVD is in the post!

2006-06-30T16:44:00.000+01:00

Reckon the DVD duplication centre folk will have a fun weekend ahead of them then - especially when they see the out-takes!

Change of venue for Premiere

2006-06-29T21:02:00.000+01:00

We are sorry to have to announce that the World Premiere of "The Lost Sock" has had to change venues, for reasons far beyond our control. More details will be available on Felixstowe TV soon.

But we are very pleased to be able to announce that Openwide International, the new management at the Spa Pavilion, have very kindly stepped in and have welcomed us to hold the World Premiere of "The Lost Sock" there, on the same afternoon.

Please note the new time for the screening will be 2:00pm on Sunday 9th July, at the Spa Pavilion, Felixstowe, with some cast arriving by limo from 1:30pm. The Spa Lounge bar will be open afterwards for drinks and a chat. We are sorry for the late change, and hope you will all still be able to make it, and bring along your friends. (Still plenty of time before the football!)

We've got a film!

2006-06-28T08:27:00.000+01:00

"The Lost Sock" has now been through its final tweaking and tidying, and the music has been laid on top. Wow, what a difference that makes - and to hear it, and the dialogue, through good quality speakers (and not highly compressed for the internet).

We're now producing the master DVD to have copied, - and having a good giggle at the out-takes as we finish compiling them!

It's getting exciting!

2006-06-27T09:05:00.000+01:00

Just in the last half an hour, our postman has delivered the proof of the "Lost Sock" DVD inlay sleeve. Wow, it's a bit swish!!

And last night, I had a special preview of the excellent opening theme tune, as well as of David's smart new cooker (!). All of the re-mastered music will be going onto the film this afternoon, and then Chris's computer will start the slow and arduous task of converting the video into a master DVD to have copied.

It's all go! Tickets are going well now for the 2:30pm public premiere - and get your orders in now (from anywhere in the world!) for your DVDs to make sure we won't run out of the £6 special offer discs.

The T-shirts have arrived! (And so have some ideas for the next project)

2006-06-21T08:47:00.000+01:00

After slightly more hassle than you might reasonably wish to shake several sticks at, the T-shirts are here and looking excellent! Watch out for our cast & crew wearing them proudly over the coming weeks; there are also a just a couple of spares, if you'd like to get one quickly!

We've also agreed an order with the very helpful Duplication Centre down the road in Essex, to produce our DVDs. Let's just hope we can get it all together in time to send them the master disc, ready to start selling copies at the Premiere in 2 1/2 weeks! Chris has already worked hard to put together the film version, with a few minor changes and a couple of small extra bits. David's cracking on with the music (between waiting for cookers etc. to arrive at his new house!), the re-worked opening titles and brand new end credits are well on the way, and the graphics are nearly there (thanks in no small part to the very resourceful Reg Paley). Next week it should "just" be a case of some final "on-line" editing - slight adjustments to a few video clip pictures, adding the music, and adjusting / tidying up all the sound levels for some beautiful crystal clear audio (we hope!).

Remember, if you'd like to be sure of getting your DVD at the discounted price of only £6, please pre-order now; we've got to decide how many we're having made by next week!

And in the meantime, we've just received some very interesting ideas from several members of the Felixstowe Scribblers for another project in the future. Are we mad?! I haven't even had time to look at them yet, but I'm sure there'll be something there to get our teeth into...

Pre-order your DVDs now for a great discount! Also latest news on the Premiere.

2006-06-14T16:55:00.000+01:00

By the end of June, we'll be sending off to have the DVDs of the full-length film produced. I've spoken to well over a dozen different companies, and found a couple of very professional looking small outfits to choose from who should be able to do what we need.

But we'd like to make sure we order enough, so as a special incentive we're offering the DVDs for sale for only £6 each (plus postage if applicable) - but only if you pre-order before we send off to have them made. They should be ready to collect at the Premiere on 9th July. After then, DVDs will be £8 each (again plus postage if required). So please get your orders in to me now at giles@felixstowetv.co.uk ! Thank you.

And a few more details for the Premiere... The film's now ending up a little longer than we originally thought, at about 1 hr 20 mins, so we've had to tighten up the timing for the day slightly. Some of our stars will be arriving by limo - courtesy of Flying Lady Wedding Cars - from around 12:10pm. Felixstowe TV's very own Ruth will be there to meet and interview them as they arrive, along with hopefully other media too. Doors to the main screen will open at 12:30pm, and the showing will start at 12:45pm on the dot - don't be late!! The "doors" will open again at 2:15pm for the second (public) showing, which will start at 2:30pm.

We're then hoping to meet up somewhere nearby for a drink and a chat afterwards, from about 4pm-6pm, when there'll also hopefully be a chance to see the infamous out-takes, which will be on the DVD. Watch out Perce!!!

Update...

2006-06-01T10:01:00.000+01:00

Just a quick update on our World Premiere on Sunday 9th July. Tickets are almost all gone for the Premiere, so we shall be having two screenings of the full-length film version of "The Lost Sock", at The Palace Cinema, Felixstowe. The doors will open for the "actual" Premiere at 12:30pm, with a second showing at 2:30pm, open for the public to see. All tickets will be free, but we will be asking for a small donation (of around £2), just to cover costs, from everyone who wasn't directly involved in the making of the film. We are inviting people to wear black tie (but it's not compulsory!), and if you would like tickets, please email Felixstowe TV at the usual address a.s.a.p.!

And the latest viewing figures from Chris ... there have been over 200,000 showings of the online episodes to date - wow! (And 198,014 of those were just Bill & Bert watching themselves!!! - Only joking!!)

another comment . . . !

2006-05-30T10:18:00.000+01:00

From a viewer who, I think, knows a thing or two about making videos and films:

"Damn! Bugger!

Now that "The lost Sock"'s come to an end, what am I going to look forward to on Sunday when the missus is watching the Eastenders Omnibus?

I can honestly say, hand on heart, that "The Lost Sock" is the best fun one can have, especially after a slight smattering of alcohol or recreational drugs, which doesn't involve a Shakira lookalike, haagen daas and a bottle of maple syrup.

Brilliant."

Yet another good reason for doing another film . . .

The final . . . well, nearly final . . . episode

2006-05-28T15:00:00.000+01:00

Episode 11 of The Lost Sock is now online . . . the last episode in our 10 part serial!

Ther's just one tiny little twist in the tale yet to come - and no-one (except Giles and I) know what it is . . . it will be revealed at the world premiere on the 9th July, and online the same evening.

Now you've seen it all - what do you think?

Comment from a control room . . .

2006-05-23T10:01:00.000+01:00

This is a comment I found on a forum for professional TV people:

"I showed a soundie Felixtowe TV and episode 1. of the "Lost sock" and within five minutes the whole control room was watching all the episodes one by one, totally addicted!

If they start wearing the "T" shirts.... I'm leaving!"

Now that's a reason for making films!

Episode 11 coming up!

2006-05-21T07:08:00.000+01:00

Should complete the cut for episode 11, the final one of our "10" episodes today, thus being able to pass it to David Jennings for his musical input. Then I'll start to work on the film version, in which the titles and cliff-hanger repeats will be deleted, and some of the shots replaced - especially some of those which are technically defective!

Whatta Day!

2006-05-15T20:52:00.000+01:00

It's been a difficult day! There's been something up with the Sock front page - the version I've got here works, the version I've seen on some other peoples machines work, but there are still people having trouble logging on to the new episode!

If that's you, then my apologies! The correct link is here: http://www.felixstowetv.co.uk/sock/ep10.html

Hope you find it and enjoy it!

Episode 10 now online!

2006-05-14T13:41:00.000+01:00

Episode 10 is now online - the tension is definitely rising!

The very next thing!

2006-05-13T16:00:00.000+01:00

I think we really do have to make another movie - The Lost Sock clearly demonstrates that we can do it. There's the writing talent, the musical talent, the acting talent and even the film-making talent within our little community to do it again. We can even organise it, with the amazing Giles on board - what colour folder will he have for the next project, I wonder?

The way to do it, though, will probably be somewhat different. For a start, I think it ought to be as different as possible from the last one, with perhaps a much more plot-driven story, and not at all funny.

I think I got into a little trouble with the writers because, as often happens, I've had a little chat with them before having everything clear in my own mind. That probably gave the impression that I was or wasn't writing things off or on, whereas what I really wanted to do was wave a few thoughts about to see what responses I got.

So, this is an attempt to get how I'd like to go about film number two very clear!

Firstly, I do want it to be a serious, action-oriented film, with a very strong story element. Dramatic, rather than funny; dark in mood, rather than light. But very local in location and setting, as before. I'd like it to be amenable to an episodic internet distribution style, but this would be less important than last time - I think we now have the confidence to go straight to the full-length feature as a final outcome.

As a first step, what I think we need is a basic story, and a treatment for it. The story needs to be a very simple outline of the characters and the actual action of the story, and when we have a story that we like, we can write the treatment - a more detailed study. This means that anyone, individual or group, can write a basic story - literally five hundred or a thousand words of bare bones, that take us from beginning to end. The treatment will be similar, but longer - looking more closely at the characters and the story elements.

I absolutely don't think that this film could start with a script, with the text and stage directions. It is possible - even perhaps probable - that the writer who comes up with the initial story might decide not to write the actual script; it is possible that we'll have a team of excellent writers, like the TLS team, to write the final script for the new movie - maybe even the same team, if they decide they're interested, and want to do it.

But the key thing is that the initial step, for the writers and production team, will be simple. There'll be no major initial commitment as the writers amazingly made - and kept to - with TLS. It'll be interesting to see where we go!

Announcing the World Premiere of The Lost Sock, at The Palace Cinema Felixstowe, Sunday 9th July 2006

2006-05-08T18:04:00.000+01:00

That's right folks, it's the World Premiere of the full length feature film version of Felixstowe TV's "The Lost Sock"! It will be on Sunday 9th July, at The Palace Cinema, Felixstowe (on the Triangle). Very many thanks to Vivienne for agreeing to host it on Felixstowe's very own big screen. As the first feature film ever to be totally made in Felixstowe (conceived and written here, created here, filmed and edited here, with local actors and extras, locations, and music!), we are delighted to be able to premiere it in the centre of our town. The exact times are still to be confirmed (watch this space!), but it's likely to be just after an early lunch / early afternoon.

At the last count (a couple of weeks ago), the 8 episodes that were online at the time had been seen by well over 100,000 viewers worldwide! But if you would like to be one of the lucky ones to see the full film on the real big screen, please email Felixstowe TV a.s.a.p. to let us know you're interested. Tickets will be have to be limited, since the first 80 or 90 will be reserved for everybody who has been involved (writing, acting, providing locations and services). DVDs will be available too.

With less than 9 weeks to go, Chris and David will have plenty of work to complete the final edit, and I'll have plenty still to organise.

Finally, this is your last chance to get in your orders for the limited edition Lost Sock T-shirt. Email Felixstowe TV before the end of Wednesday if you don't want to miss out!

Ready for the music on Episode 10!

2006-05-07T07:07:00.000+01:00

Luncky old David Jennings . . he's got a whole week in which to do the music for ep 10 of TLS! - he'll get the rough cut today.

Episode 11 will probably get put together by next weekend, and when we'll start work on the movie cut . . . that should be entertaining, and I'll probably have to buy another 250Gb drive for it - woweee - that'll make over a terabite of storage for video (that's a thousand Gigabites, I think) . . . Once we have that done, I may well sink into a sad decline with nothing to do . . . but I doubt it!

A major coniption on FTV!

2006-05-05T09:13:00.000+01:00

Felixstowe TV has now undergone a major refurbishment, which I hope will make it much more newsy and interesting, while retaining it's TV aspects. The associated Felixstowe Life website will be become increasing like a local lifestyle magazine, with features, articles and other items. Should be fun to see how it progresses.

Because of our film-making work, we've also attracted the interest of some other local film-makers, so we'll be hosting films made by other people as well as us . . who knows where that might go!